Haucherkel (Hauhechel) - Natural medicine for bladder and kidney. Use, healing effects & recipes

Haucherkel (Hauhechel) - Natural medicine for bladder and kidney. Use, healing effects & recipes

The spiky Hauhechel (often called touch) is a well-known medicinal plant in Europe, which is mainly used to treat or relieve bladder and kidney diseases. The nicely looking plant with its pink papilionic flowers contains many saponins and essential oils, which is why it finds its way into naturopathic applications. In many gardens, however, the plant is not always popular because of its deep tap roots and sharp spines. Due to the ongoing plowing of plowing in horticulture, the plant therefore has the English name Restharow (literally: rest plow / resting egge |

the profile

• Scientific name : Ononis spinosa
• plant family : bean family, legally fruit family, pea family
• other names : Dorniger Hauhechel, Hauchechel
• sowing time/planting time : October - March
• flowering time : June - September
• harvest time : August - September
• location : sunny
• floor quality : low -nutrient, dry and well permeable
• Use as a medicinal herb: bladder problems, bladder stones, kidney gravel, kidney inflammation (supportive), urinary tract infections
• Use as a spice herb: Young shoots for salads

origin and distribution of touches (Hauhechel)

It is a plant genre with the origin in Europe, which - with the exception of the Scandinavian countries - can therefore be found in almost all European countries. The plant sometimes also occurs in North Africa and West Asia. The Hauhechel prefers sunny, dry and slightly calcareous locations and is therefore mainly found in forest lights, road edges and embankments.

plant order of the Hauhechel

The Hauhechel (Ononis Spinosa) belongs to the family of legumes (Fabaceae) and thus maintains a direct relationship with important crops such as peas, beans lupins as well as known medicinal plants such as red clover . The genus Hauhecheln (Ononis) has about 80 known species, of which the thorny Hauhcechel (Ononis spinosa) is probably the best known. Other subspecies such as the common Odermennig (Ononis spinosa subsp. Maritima) and the Feld-Mannstreu (Ononis spinosa subsp. Arvensis).

appearance and properties of the Hauhechel

plant

Hauhechel is a very attractive plant when blooming. The plant, which is usually between 25 and 70 cm high, has typical properties of a half -shrub. The tap root, which grows up to 50 cm into the ground, is particularly striking.

leaves

The herb has jagged, triple -feathered leaves with secondary leaves. The secondary leaves are also toothed. The side branches have very sharp thorns.

flower

The pink flowers are arranged on short drives that form relatively dense grape stems. The chalice has a noticeable hairiness. The heyday of the thorny Hauhechel usually takes place from mid -May to early October. Then small, hairy legumes develop.

fragrance

The spiky Hauhechel pushes a partially unpleasant, slightly sweet smell at the heyday.

Hauhechel and its use

in the kitchen

The plant is used in the kitchen. Occasionally, Hauhechel attracts lovers of wild herb salads, using the young shoots that have a slightly sharp taste. Adult plants have a very unpleasant taste.

as a medicinal herb

Hauhechel is a very old medicinal plant that was already used in the time of the ancient Romans. Greek doctors also mentioned Hauhechel in the 1st century AD. At that time, the plant was mainly used for kidney, urine and stone complaints.

In herbal books of the Middle Ages, the bark of the Hauhechel was placed in wine and drunk to break kidney stones with “violence”. The plant was also used to treat genital warts, to relieve liver complaints ("constipation of the liver") and to improve the urine. In addition to internal diseases, the herb was also used for toothache. Here the roots were treated with water and vinegar.

In today's application, the Hauhechel is mainly used for some kidney and bladder diseases. Here the root of the plant is mostly used in the form of teas. The roots contain saponins, essential oils and tannins that increase the amount of urine. In addition, the tea extracts are also used for prophylaxis of urinary and kidney stones and to remove kidney semolina.

In folk medicine, the plant is still used occasionally for blood purification.

Hauhechel tea-instructions for use

• For the preparation of a Hauhechel tea, it is sufficient to pour 200 ml of boiling water with about 1 ½ teaspoon of cut Hauhechel root.
• then let it steep for about 20 to 30 minutes. Cover the container well!
• per day should not be drunk more than 3 cups of this tea. Do not use longer than three days in a row.
• Wait for about a week if used for a long time and consult a doctor if the symptoms stop.

Attention : If the heart weakness or well -known water collecting, the use of a haech of a hiss should be avoided or at least a doctor should be consulted. Visiting this page cannot replace the visit to the doctor. In the event of serious or unclear complaints, contact your doctor.

Hauhechel - what should you pay attention to?

Hauhechel is relatively rare in the trade. The plant can usually only be bought in online trading or from selected herbalists. The same applies to seeds that are usually very cheap. However, Hauhechel grows almost wherever it is relatively barren.

For naturopathic applications, only the root is required. Hauhechel roots are available from specialized herbalists or online. The evaluation of product quality is relatively difficult. Some roots only contain inadequate active ingredients, which is usually due to an inexperienced game collection. So if you buy online, you should look for a good reputation from the dealer and avoid private sellers on online marketplaces.